5 Best Thrift Secondhand Stores in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Talise Sterling, Goods and Shopping · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

Thrift secondhand stores in Chicago come with a real tradeoff: the big chains have volume and constant new stock, but reviewers at multiple stores on this page describe rising prices that no longer feel like a bargain. Between the five stores here, customers have left over 3,300 Google reviews, and ratings run from 4.0 up to 4.9, a wider spread than most retail categories. The best pick depends on what you're after: a curated boutique find, a specific niche like vintage toys, or sheer volume to dig through.

Short answer: Goodwill Store & Donation Center has the most reviews of any thrift store in Chicago at 4.2 stars across 896 Google reviews. Jojin's Kitty Thrift Shop holds the highest rating at 4.9 stars, specializing in vintage toys, retro games and Hello Kitty collectibles, while McShane's Exchange Consignment is the top pick for curated clothing and accessories since 1988.

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1. McShane's Exchange Con…
2. Goodwill Store & Donat…
3. Jojin’s Kitty Thrift S…
4. Unique
5. Village Discount Outle…
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How Chicago's Top Thrift Stores Compare

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	McShane's Exchange Consignment	4.7 ★	626	Curated consignment clothing, since 1988	View ›
2	Goodwill Store & Donation Center	4.2 ★	896	Largest selection, West Loop	View ›
3	Jojin’s Kitty Thrift Shop	4.9 ★	324	Vintage toys, retro games and collectibles	View ›
4	Unique	4.1 ★	762	Large chain, wide clothing selection	View ›
5	Village Discount Outlet	4.0 ★	811	Name-brand finds, Bucktown	View ›

5 Best Thrift Secondhand Stores in Chicago (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

McShane's Exchange Consignment

4.7626 Google reviews

McShane's Exchange Consignment is a Michigan Avenue consignment boutique that has operated since 1988, specializing in curated women's clothing, dresses and jewelry. It is currently operating out of a rotating market location during a business transition, with reviewers describing a knowledgeable staff who remember regular customers by name.

What people praise

Curated selection of dresses and jewelry, not a mixed-bag thrift bin
Long-standing, over three-decades local reputation
Staff described as having a near-photographic memory for customer preferences
Repeat customers return specifically for occasion dresses like prom and weddings

Worth knowing

Currently in transition between physical locations, so confirm current hours and address before visiting
One reviewer described a frustrating experience with staff attitude while trying to retrieve a mistakenly donated item

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume626 · 81th

Confidencehigh

Recency7 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown87% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most curated option on this page for clothing specifically, backed by decades of local reputation. Confirm the current location before visiting given the ongoing transition.

Website +1773-525-0282 Directions

835 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

#2🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Goodwill Store & Donation Center

4.2896 Google reviews

Goodwill Store & Donation Center is a large West Loop thrift store and donation center with the deepest review history of any thrift store in Chicago. It carries a wide, ever-changing selection of clothing, housewares and goods, with proceeds supporting employment programs.

What people praise

Deepest review history of any thrift store in Chicago
Large physical space with a wide selection across categories
Genuine bargains reported, including a name-brand jacket found for $27
Kind, helpful staff noted by multiple reviewers

Worth knowing

Multiple reviewers describe resellers intercepting the best new merchandise before it reaches the public racks
Some reviewers reported items being mistakenly returned to stock while still in their cart

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.2 / 5

Review volume896 · 97th

Confidencehigh

Recency5 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown58% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The largest, most-reviewed thrift store in Chicago, though the resale-intercept pattern described by reviewers means the best finds may not always make it to the public floor.

Website +1312-563-1187 Directions

1201 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607

#3🕑 Open 6 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Jojin’s Kitty Thrift Shop

4.9324 Google reviews

Jojin's Kitty Thrift Shop is a North Side thrift store specializing in vintage toys, retro video games, Hello Kitty and Sanrio items, Funko Pop and other collectibles. It holds the highest rating of any thrift store on this page, built by a single owner who reviewers describe as deeply knowledgeable about her curated inventory.

What people praise

Highest rating on this list at 4.9
Deep specialization in collectibles, retro games and character merchandise
Owner personally knowledgeable about inventory and pricing
Loyalty rewards program mentioned by repeat customers

Worth knowing

Store hours are inconsistent across different online listings, so call ahead to confirm before visiting
One reviewer noted disorganized shelving and a lingering pet odor in one area of the store

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume324 · 69th

Confidencehigh

Recency2 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown97% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The highest-rated store on this page and a genuine specialist destination for collectors, though confirm hours by phone since online listings conflict.

Website +1312-610-0321 Directions

4100 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60641

#4🕑 Open 7 days↩ Responds to reviews

Unique

4.1762 Google reviews

Unique is a Chicago location of the Savers thrift store chain, a for-profit company that pays nonprofits for donated goods rather than operating as a nonprofit itself. It carries clothing, books, furniture and costumes across a large-format store on Elston Avenue.

What people praise

Large, well-stocked format with a wide range of secondhand categories
Convenient chain locations across the city
Antiques and unique finds occasionally turn up, according to reviewers

Worth knowing

Multiple reviewers describe prices that feel high for secondhand goods, sometimes comparable to discount retailers
No fitting rooms, a repeated complaint from reviewers shopping for clothing
One reviewer described an unprofessional interaction with a manager over a payment issue

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.1 / 5

Review volume762 · 86th

Confidencehigh

Recency6 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown54% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A convenient, large-format option, but reviewers consistently flag pricing and the lack of fitting rooms as drawbacks worth knowing before your visit.

Website +1773-279-0850 Directions

3748 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

#5🕑 Open 7 days

Village Discount Outlet

4.0811 Google reviews

Village Discount Outlet is a Bucktown thrift store carrying clothing, children's items and vintage pieces, with a reputation among reviewers for turning up name-brand finds like Coach, Carhartt and Lululemon. Bags cost a small fee, so bringing your own is recommended.

What people praise

Reviewers consistently report finding recognizable name brands at reasonable prices
Long-standing local reputation, with one reviewer shopping there since 1975
Clean, organized shoe selection called out specifically
Wide range of vintage and name-brand clothing categories

Worth knowing

Multiple reviewers describe pricing that has climbed noticeably over recent years
No fitting rooms, mirroring a complaint at the other large-format store on this page

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4 / 5

Review volume811 · 92th

Confidencehigh

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown55% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A solid pick if you're hunting for specific name-brand finds, with a long track record, though recent reviewers say prices have risen compared to past visits.

Website +1866-545-3836 Directions

2032 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

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How we score

Every number on this page is computed from public Google data on the date shown, not opinion or payment. Rating is the store’s live Google star average. Review volume measures how many customers have rated it, ranked against other Chicago thrift and secondhand stores. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.2 from hundreds of reviewers carries more weight than a 4.9 from a smaller base. Recency reflects how recently customers are still leaving reviews. No store can pay to change these numbers.

How much do thrift store items cost in Chicago? (2026)

None of the stores on this page publish fixed pricing in the data we collected, and prices vary widely by item type and condition. Several reviewers across multiple stores noted that prices have risen in recent years, so comparing a few stores before committing to a purchase can be worthwhile.

Serving all of Chicago

These thrift stores are spread across Michigan Avenue, the West Loop, the North Side, Elston Avenue and Bucktown. Searching for a thrift store near me? Every listing above shows a live phone number and directions so you can reach the closest option fast.

What to ask before you thrift shop

Are fitting rooms available, or should I bring a measuring tape and check sizing carefully?
Does the store have a specific specialty, like vintage clothing, collectibles or furniture?
Is there a fee for shopping bags, and should I bring my own?
What time of day tends to have the freshest new stock on the floor?
Does the store offer any loyalty or rewards program for repeat shoppers?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these thrift stores?

We started from thrift and secondhand stores in Chicago with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Which of these stores specializes in a specific niche rather than general thrift goods?

Jojin’s Kitty Thrift Shop specializes in vintage toys, retro games and character collectibles. McShane’s Exchange Consignment focuses on curated women’s clothing and dresses rather than a general mix.

Do any of these stores support a nonprofit through donations?

Goodwill Store & Donation Center funds employment programs through its sales. Unique (part of the Savers chain) is a for-profit company that pays nonprofits for donated goods rather than operating as a nonprofit itself.

The bottom line

Goodwill has the deepest track record for sheer selection, while Jojin’s Kitty Thrift Shop is the top-rated pick if you’re after a specific collectible niche. Whichever you choose, check hours in advance and bring your own shopping bag to avoid extra fees.

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